Tackling the terror threat
Without going into the details of what led to that extraordinary rise in terror incidences, suffice it to say that it is due to many lapses on the part of the administration. Of late even lawmakers from within BNP-led ruling coalition have also criticized the administration for its actions and inactions which have had the effect of lending support to the terrorists
One could argue, counter argue, and raise storms over the matter, but the truth is that, like in other countries of the world, religious terrorism is here to stay.
Religious terrorism has several dimensions to it: social, political, economic, and administrative. Concentrating merely on the policing and administrative aspects of it all will yield but little results in its containment. Behind each terrorist act among others there is an element of extreme anger working within the mind of the individual perpetrator.
The all round failures of our politicians, whether in or out of power, combined with their most irresponsible behaviour, have paved the way for the masterminds of terror to catch these young men from the poorer and illiterate section of our population and brainwash them into being prospective terrorists. For long our politicians and political management has toyed with, used, and abused religion to meet their narrow political goals. With no exception, from Jinnah to Ayub Khan down to our two major political parties, all are equally guilty.
On the social front, too, there are too many contradictions, which have also brought about a drastic change in our otherwise moderate cultural heritage, mainly influenced by the arrival of the cable network in the electronic media. This is also seen and perceived by the so-called religious clerics and fundamentalists as threat to their understanding of Islam.
On the economic front, there are a number of issues that have angered the terrorists. You will notice that many of the perpetrators nabbed so far come from relatively poorer economic background. Had it not been so, many of them would not have risked their lives for a meager sum of Tk 800 to 2,000 only.
Terrorism, besides the idealistic aspect of it all, has also become a profitable enterprise. On the other hand extreme religiosity is directly related to poverty. Poor people often take to religion as an alternative outlet to all their deprivations. It is thus easier for the masterminds to exploit them more than the relatively well to do section of the people.
Therefore people and the state machinery should be proactively involved in the economic upliftment of our poor who happen to be over 60 percent of the population. The administration must simply work its utmost towards eradication of corrupt practices of bribery and grafts and switch to pro-people economic policy from the existing pro-rich policies.
Economic discrimination and disparities are also directly linked to all forms of terrorism including the ongoing ones. The richer and the well to do section of our population must simultaneously come forward and join hands with the administration in improving the quality of life of the poor, not by giving hand outs, but by being actively involved in their lives.
There is yet another vital factor that is vigorously contributing to the continuous growth of these religious terrorists -- the phenomenal growth of madrassahs that are virtually serving as breeding grounds.
Any strategic plan of action must be based in the light of the above. There is no set formula for dealing with religious terrorism. It is a long drawn process. It requires total commitment. Above all, it requires active participation of the public at large. Whatever strategic plan is set in motion it must be remembered that policing and the intelligence gathering along with severe punishment to perpetrators must continue at all times. I am placing below an 11 point strategic plan of action:
1. The administration should immediately call for an all-party meeting to discuss and decide upon a plan of action for tackling the rising incidences of terrorism in the country (done).
2. The administration should arrange to close down forthwith all religious organizations/NGOs on which intelligence information is available regarding their involvement in financing terror acts.
3. The administration should impose visa restrictions for foreign visitors coming to participate in such religious gatherings like the Bishwa Ijtema or other religious sites and shrines.
4. The administration should gear up intelligence monitoring of Tabligh Jamaat like activities all over the country like the one at the Kakrail Masjid.
5. The administration should arrange to register madrassahs all over the country. Create an independent national commission for recasting and modernizing of the curriculum for the madrassahs, which should be a unified one and mandatory for madrassahs all over the country.
6.With immediate effect, the focus of the electronic media on religious programs should be recast to reflect upon the various humanistic aspects of our religion, like our duties as Muslims towards our fellow beings, responsibilities of the rich and the well to do towards the poor, the importance of acquiring knowledge not just religious, but also in other branches of modern day education, including tolerance to people of other faiths and religious beliefs, the meaning and essence of the life and living of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and its relevance to our life as a whole.
7. The administration should enter into a network of collaborative agreements with other international agencies or countries of the region. Specific collaborative agreements should also be drawn with such well-known international intelligence agencies like the Scotland Yard, Interpol, and FBI.
8. Serious consideration should also be given of working out extradition agreements between our neighbour India and other selected countries of South Asia.
9. As a part of our long-term strategy we should routinely send our intelligence and members of the regular police force for training aimed at enhancing their professional expertise.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 10. The ruling coalition must, with immediate effect, purge out any and all lawmakers within the government implicated in supporting religious extremism and terror acts, directly or indirectly.
11. Last but not least in importance, plans should be put in place right now with due ratification by the Parliament for separating religion from politics.
I would also like to emphasize here that given the will and sincerity of purpose we should be able to contain terrorism and bring it down almost to a negligible level in the not too distant a future.
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